Investment Policy Review of Sierra Leone
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nited Nations Conference on Trade and Development Investment Policy Review Sierra Leone UNITED NATIONS New York and Geneva, 2010 Investment Policy Review of Sierra Leone NOTE UNCTAD serves as the focal point within the United Nations Secretariat for all matters related to foreign direct investment, as part of its work on trade and development. This function was formerly carried out by the United Nations Centre on Transnational Corporations (1975–1992). UNCTAD’s work is carried out through intergovernmental deliberations, research and analysis, and technical assistance activities. The term “country” as used in this study also refers, as appropriate, to territories or areas; the designations employed and the presentation of the material do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. In addition, the designations of country groups are intended solely for statistical or analytical convenience and do not necessarily express a judgment about the stage of development reached by a particular country or area in the development process. The following symbols have been used in the tables: Two dots (..) indicate that data are not available or not separately reported. Rows in tables have been omitted in those cases where no data are available for any of the elements in the row. A hyphen (-) indicates that the item is equal to zero or its value is negligible. A blank in a table indicates that the item is not applicable. A slash (/) between dates representing years – for example, 2004/05, indicates a financial year. Use of a dash (–) between dates representing years – for example, 2004–2005 – signifies the full period involved, including the beginning and end years. Reference to the “dollars” ($) means United States dollars, unless otherwise indicated. Annual rates of growth or change, unless otherwise stated, refer to annual compound rates. Details and percentages in tables do not necessarily add to totals because of rounding. The material contained in this study may be freely quoted with appropriate acknowledgement. UNCTAD/DIAE/PCB/2009/14 UNITED NATIONS PUBLICATION Sales No. E.10.II.D.8 ISBN 978-92-1-112785-0 Copyright © United Nations, 2010 All rights reserved II III Investment Policy Review of Sierra Leone PREFACE The UNCTAD Investment Policy Reviews are intended to help countries improve their investment policies and familiarize governments and the international private sector with an individual country’s investment environment. The reviews are considered by the UNCTAD Commission on Investment, Enterprise and Development. The Investment Policy Review of Sierra Leone, initiated at the request of the government, was carried out through a fact-finding mission in June 2008. The mission received the full cooperation of the relevant ministries and agencies, in particular the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Sierra Leone Investment and Export Promotion Agency (SLIEPA). The mission also benefitted from the views of the private sector, foreign and domestic, and the resident international community, particularly bilateral donors and development agencies. A preliminary version of this report was discussed with stakeholders at a national workshop in Freetown on 9 October 2009. The final report reflects written comments from various Ministries of the Government of Sierra Leone, as collected by the Ministry of Trade and Industry and SLIEPA. The suitability and effectiveness of the regulatory regime is assessed against the following criteria: (a) adequate promotion and protection of the public interest; (b) adequate promotion of investment and sustainable socio-economic development; and (c) effectiveness and implementation of methods employed, given the public interest, development objectives and the legitimate concerns of investors that rules and procedures do not unduly burden their competitiveness. International practices are used as benchmark when making the assessment and proposing recommendations in the report. The review also concentrates on the development of an overall strategy for the attraction and retention of foreign direct investment. This follows a specific request from the Government of Sierra Leone. This report was prepared by the Investment Policy Review team under the supervision of Chantal Dupasquier. James Zhan provided overall guidance. Mario Berrios, Paige Griffin and Craig Van Grasstek drafted the report, which benefited from substantive contributions from Rory Allan, Alexandre de Crombrugghe, Quentin Dupriez, Anna Joubin-Bret, Massimo Meloni and Violeta Mitova. Farrel Elliott, a local consultant, and Da Huo provided research assistance. Comments and suggestions were received from UNCTAD colleagues, including Joachim Karl and George Lipimile, within the context of an internal peer review process. It was funded by the Governments of Ireland and Sweden, which also provided financing for some follow-up activities. It is hoped that the analysis and recommendations of this review will help Sierra Leone achieve its development goals, contribute to improved policies, promote dialogue among stakeholders and catalyse investment and the beneficial impact of FDI. Geneva, November 2009 II III V Investment Policy Review of Sierra Leone CONTENTS PREFACE . iii CONTENTS . v ABBREVIATIONS . viii INTRODUCTION . 1 I . FDI Trends and IMpact . 3 A. Economic background ..........................................................................................................................................3 1. Growth and macroeconomic developments........................................................................................... 3 2. Structure of the economy............................................................................................................................5 3. External sector ...............................................................................................................................................8 4. Infrastructure ................................................................................................................................................10 5. Social issues ................................................................................................................................................... 12 6. Current policies promoting investment and private sector development ....................................13 B. FDI trends ............................................................................................................................................................. 14 1. FDI size and growth .................................................................................................................................... 14 2. Distribution by sector ................................................................................................................................15 3. Distribution of FDI and countries of origin ...........................................................................................20 C. Impact of FDI ....................................................................................................................................................... 21 1. Infrastructure ................................................................................................................................................21 2. Technology and skills ..................................................................................................................................21 3. Employment and linkages ...........................................................................................................................21 4. Environment ..................................................................................................................................................22 5. Trade integration .........................................................................................................................................23 D. Assessment ...........................................................................................................................................................23 II . THE INVestMent FraMEWorK . 25 A. Entry and establishment of FDI .......................................................................................................................25 B. Treatment, protection and institutional responsibility for promotion of FDI ...................................27 1. Treatment and protection ........................................................................................................................27 2. International investment framework .....................................................................................................28